World Grand Prix on knife edge as tournament enters final preliminary weekend

Japan face a challenge this weekend as they are likely to battle it out with Serbia and Korea for a place in the finals

Lausanne, Switzerland, August 17, 2011 – Seven spots are still up for grabs in the finals of the 2011 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix as the tournament enters its final preliminary weekend on Friday.

So far only China are guaranteed a spot at the premier annual women’s volleyball tournament as hosts with the other seven teams joining them in Macau set be decided this weekend. Only two teams are guaranteed not to finish in a top seven position; Kazakhstan and Peru, both of which are yet to seal a win in this year’s tournament.

2011 FIVB Volleyball World Grand PrixAugust 5-28This weekend will also feature a World Grand Prix first as Hong Kong prepares to host two pools. It will be the first time one city has hosted multiple groups in the tournament’s 19-year history.

Pool IPoland are teetering on the edge of qualification for the finals and a good showing in Hong Kong at the weekend will surely see them qualify. However China will want to lay down a marker for their home fans ahead of their appearance in the finals. Dominican Republic are also in with a narrow chance so will not be taking any of their games lightly.

Meanwhile Kazakhstan go on the hunt for that elusive victory in the 2011 edition. They were beaten in front of their home fans last weekend and went agonisingly close to beating 2010 bronze medallists Italy, losing in five sets. However they will take comfort in the fact they pushed the side close, winning their first point of their campaign.

Pool JWith Peru out of the running for a place in the finals all eyes will be on defending champions USA along with Italy and Germany as all three look for a ticket to Macau. USA currently lead the charge, sitting in third and a pair of wins will see them qualify. Italy are just a point behind them however and will aim to jump the Americans to improve their seeding.

However Germany, who have had a disappointing campaign so far this year, will want to prove themselves and three wins in Hong Kong could see them make a late charge to the next phase of the tournament.

Pool KThree points for Brazil will see the world No.1 move onto the finals and their place in Macau is all but assured at this stage. Thailand have seen a vast improvement this year and could well make their first ever appearance in the finals if they can string together a few victories in front of their home fans in Bangkok. They currently sit two points behind Asian rivals Korea.

But any progress they make will be at the behest of Cuba and Argentina. The two sides are both also within reach of a top seven position and will be fighting hard to make sure that they are still in with a chance come Sunday evening.

Pool LWorld champions Russia are in the same position as Brazil and if they pick up three points in Tokyo this weekend, which is likely, they will move onto Macau next weekend.

However this group is likely to be make or break time for Serbia, Japan and Korea. All three are currently ranked fifth, sixth and seventh in the table with just two points separating the three of them. This pool is on a knife edge and with all three teams having one foot already in the finals, the door could almost certainly close on one of them, or perhaps even all of them if the results in the other pools don’t favour them.